Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
6 Comments May 24, 2024
Updated May 13, 2025
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This family recipe keeps it simple— slow cooker country style pork ribs, sweet onions, BBQ sauce, and a few easy spices. The crockpot does all the work, and you get tender, flavorful ribs that everyone will love.
My mother in-law made the BEST country style ribs with barbecue sauce, her recipe was in the oven, but I learned how to perfect it from her. Here are my tricks for the best Country Style Ribs:
- Slather the ribs with a homemade rub.
- Cook the ribs longs enough to tenderize them.
- Add onions for a flavor contrast.
Ingredients for Barbecue Country Style Ribs
Besides the ribs, you probably have everything you need in your pantry. Find full recipe amounts in the recipe card below the images.
- Pork Ribs: I recommend using 3-4 lbs. of country-style pork ribs. You can use bone-in or boneless pork ribs.
- Pork Rub: Kosher salt, black pepper, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder are combined to create a mouth-watering rub for the ribs.
- White Onion: This will be finely diced and added just before cooking time starts.
- Barbecue Sauce: Just a cup will do, but you can always add more. We LOVE Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce.
Variations
If you make this recipe once a week, you may want to change it up with one of my favorite variations:
- Add a green bell pepper for really good flavor and color.
- Use a chipotle barbecue sauce for a smoky flavor.
- You can add small diced carrots and potatoes to make this a full meal – you may have to cook a touch longer to soften them.
- You can use baby back ribs, but will need to add a 1/4 cup of water, for they aren’t quite as juicy as country-style.
How to Make Crockpot Country Style Ribs
Make drool-worthy ribs in two simple steps! A hands-off dinner recipe:
Step One – In a small bowl add the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to make a spice rub.
Step Two – Add the country style ribs to the slow cooker and sprinkle this mixture over the ribs. Drizzle over the BBQ sauce and sprinkle over the onions. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the ribs are fork tender.
My Serving Suggestions
My mother in law always served these with classic barbecue side dishes, here is how we still like to enjoy them:
- Baked beans are our favorite way to serve these country ribs.
- Other Sides we love are mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, green beans and mac and cheese.
- Don’t forget to add a side of cornbread or garlic bread.
Featured Comment
“Family loves this and has asked to have these once a week. Simply delicious.”
– Anonymous
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
How to Video
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs. country style pork ribs
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- ½ cup finely diced white onion
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Add the country style ribs to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl add the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle this mixture over the ribs.
- Sprinkle over the onions.
- Drizzle over the barbecue sauce.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or until the ribs are fork tender.
- Serve with desired sides. (See my sides suggestions in the notes)
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Ribs Recipes
Crockpot Ribs (baby back ribs) are fall-off-the-bone tender with rich barbecue flavor, perfect for an easy, satisfying meal. Also, try my Dr. Pepper Ribs for an entirely different meal!
Slow Cooker Beer Ribs simmer in beer and seasoning for a deep, savory flavor that pairs well with hearty sides.
Ribs and Baked Beans make a filling, down-home dinner with smoky, sweet flavors in every bite.
Teriyaki Ribs offer a sweet and tangy twist, slow cooked until the meat is tender and coated in sticky sauce.
Family loves this and has asked to have these once a week. Simply delicious.
First time trying this and I followed the instructions only I used boneless pork ribs and I’m not sure if it was done right but there seems to be a lot of liquid in the Crock-Pot with the ribs. They look nothing like the picture but there’s good flavoring through the pork rib
Can I use beef ribs instead of pork?
Yes, beef ribs are great in this recipe.
OUTSTANDING !!!!! 5 STAR !!
Thank you!